Exhibit: SELFie: The Power Within
2025-06-02, 2025-06-03 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
The museum’s pop-up exhibit, SELFie: The Power Within, will be in the Main Library’s Opportunity Space @ St. Clair in May. Patrons can let their selfies tell stories of strength, growth, and self-love. The photos that are taken will celebrate the real, unfiltered moments of mental health, with hopes of breaking the stigma surrounding it, thus allowing patrons to explore the power of being their authentic selves.
A reception opening the exhibit will be held on Thursday, May 1, from 6:30-8 pm, in the Main Library’s Atrium. Local advocates and mental health professionals will be present. All ages are welcome to attend the exhibit throughout the month, including the reception.

Hometown Heroes Family Storytime
2025-06-02 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Dayton Metro Library is launching a new storytime series called Hometown Heroes Family Storytime, which will be held one Monday a month throughout the year in the Children’s Creativity Space at the Main Library, from 5:30-6:30 pm. Kids of all ages and caregivers can enjoy fun-filled sessions with books, songs, and activities. Each Hometown Heroes session will also have a special guest reader from the Dayton area. Registration is not required. The Hometown Heroes Family Storytime schedule is as follows:

April 7: Jeffery Mims, Mayor of the City of Dayton
May 5: Dr. David Lawrence, Dayton Public School District Superintendent
June 2: Mr. Moses Mbeseha, co-founder of The Conscious Connect Community Development Corporation
July 7: Rodney Veal, an independent choreographer, interdisciplinary artist, educator, and producer
August 18: Willis “Bing” Davis, an internationally recognized artist, educator, and community activist.
September 8: Jeff Jackson, co-owner of the Wright Dunbar Cigar Shoppe in Dayton’s Historic Wright Dunbar District
October 6: Michael Carter, Senior Advisor to the President of Sinclair Community College
November 3: Darius Beckham, a former senior policy aide to the City of Dayton’s mayor.
December 1: Carl Kennebrew, International President of the IUE-CWA.

This Hometown Heroes series is part of DML’s Reading Railroad Initiative, which aims to link DML’s communities through literacy. The initiative is dedicated to fostering a love of reading and learning for Black boys and young men. It offers storytelling experiences, curated book selections, signature events, and mentorship from community leaders so that patrons are encouraged to view reading as a tool for self-discovery, empowerment, and lifelong success.
Another aspect of DML’s Reading Railroad Initiative is the Black Men Read–250 in 2025 Community Challenge. DML is calling on Black men across Montgomery County and beyond to inspire the next generation of readers by sharing the joy of storytelling with young children by becoming a “Reading Conductor” volunteer and/or logging their reading. Volunteers can read as a Hometown Hero guest, at one of DML’s Branches, to a loved one, at a school, out in the community, etc., to spark curiosity, foster a connection, and help create a love of reading in DML’s communities. Sign up to read or log reading at DaytonMetroLibrary.org/ReadingRailroad, where additional information about DML’s Reading Railroad can be found.
For more information about the Hometown Heroes Storytimes, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

Community Fitness – Bootcamp
2025-06-02 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join The Unit for an exciting bootcamp workout that will take you through RiverScape in a whole new way. Whether you’re running the stairs, doing push-ups near the reflecting pools, or stretching along the levee, this effective workout will keep you moving. Combined with the uplifting support of the community members that make up The Unit, this is a workout you will want to make part of your weekly routine. All fitness levels welcome and encouraged!

Reni Gower and Kate Santucci Exhibit
2025-06-03 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department is pleased to present “GEOmatrix: a Perfect Proof” by Reni Gower in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery and “Waxing On” by Kate Santucci in the Works on Paper Gallery. Gower’s “GEOmatrix: a Perfect Proof” recognizes geometric perfection as the matrix of humanity and the blueprint of the cosmos. Large hand-cut papercuts, stencil-masked pulp paintings, and machine cut vinyl decals are imbued with repetitive, geometric pattens. These tessellations, similar to decoration across many cultures, offer a calming, luminous, and contemplative respite from these unprecedented times. Working with colored beeswax and resin layered with pigments and oil paint, Santucci reveals and obscures symbols and images formed through drawing, mark making and hand-cut stencils. The multi-layered encaustic works exhibited in “Waxing On” explore themes such as communication, time, place, and the perception of the way things change, both in the short and long term. There will be a virtual artist talk via Zoom on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for details. The exhibitions will be on display from May 19–June 23, 2025. Galleries are located on the fourth floor of building 13 (located at West Fifth and Perry Streets). The galleries are free and open to the public from 8am–6pm Monday–Friday and 9am–12pm Saturdays.

Exhibit: Enduring the Seige of Sarajevo – Snapshots of Survival
2025-06-03 | The International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402

2025 Future of Downtown Dayton
2025-06-03 07:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Dayton, OH
Exploring the Vision, Challenges, and Opportunities for Our City’s Core! Dont miss this opportunity to hear from top experts and network with fellow business and community leaders.
Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of Downtown Dayton! This engaging event will bring together key leaders and stakeholders to explore current projects, economic trends, and strategic initiatives shaping the heart of our city.
Topics of Discussion:

Top projects & future plans – Major developments shaping downtown
Redevelopment updates – Main St., Riverfront, The Arcade and more
Foot traffic & economic competitiveness – The downtown experience
Challenges & solutions – Addressing risks and fostering growth

Featured Panelists: • Shelley Dickstein – City Manager, City of Dayton • Katie Meyer– President, Downtown Dayton Partnership • Bob Ruzinsky – CEO, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority • Gabriel van Aalst – President & CEO, Dayton Live • Mo Zahedi– Owner/Broker, Glasshouse Realty Group
Tickets and more info: https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/event/172014/2025/2025-future-of-downtown-dayton

Zen Kids Summer Camp
2025-06-03 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Join us for a magical hands-on experience where kids build and decorate their own tiny garden worlds. Each workshop features a unique theme and project designed to inspire creativity and connection to nature. $12 – $22.
Register & information: Shopnowandzen.com
4 Fun Projects:
Jurassic Jungle
Closed terrarium with mini dinosaurs and prehistoric plants!
Fairy Garden Grootopia
A succulent fairy garden featuring everyone’s favorite tree friend—Groot!
Paint & Plant Party
Kids paint their own air plant holders and decorate with flair.
Mushroom Magic
Build a woodland succulent terrarium full of charm and color.

CURIO: Lunch Box
2025-06-03 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Courthouse Square, Third & Main Streets, Dayton, OH, 45422, USA
Throughout the summer months, fun, out-of-the-box entertainment can be found on Courthouse Square, with CURIO serving as the hub of community, connection, and collaboration!
Big ideas can come in small packages, and CURIO is the first step in a larger, longer-term plan to revitalize Courthouse Square. This shipping container transformed into an event hub has been combined with new outdoor seating and other touches to create downtown’s newest summer hotspot! CURIO is part of Summer in the City, presented by AES Ohio.
We can hardly contain our excitement for a summer schedule featuring:
CURIO: Lunch Box
Free lunchtime entertainment Tuesdays-Thursdays, 12-2 p.m.
Trivia Tuesdays – bring your team to win prizes
ZENsdays – Unwind. Decompress. Read. Play a game. Relax and zen out on your lunch break.
Unplugged Thursdays – live acoustic music or DJs
Bring your friends and coworkers for a midday break outside!
CURIO: Lunch Box features free lunchtime entertainment from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week during the summer months.
Food vendors also set up on Courthouse Square each weekday, allowing downtown workers and others to grab lunch from a vendor or a downtown restaurant and take in the entertainment while enjoying the outdoors downtown.
Be sure to “Like” CURIO at Courthouse Square on Facebook to get the latest updates on upcoming entertainment and more. You can also request to receive regular emails about what’s planned for CURIO.

Kayak Rentals at RiverScape with Taiter’s Kayak Solutions
2025-06-03 14:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of RiverScape Kayak Rentals series
Kayak Rentals at RiverScape with Taiter’s Kayak Solutions
2:00pm – 6:00pm
AGE: 10 and up | $15.00

Paddle under the fountains with Taiter’s Kayak Solutions all summer long at RiverScape MetroPark! Kayakers launch from under the Riverside Bridge along the Great Miami Recreational Trail, and the cost to participate is $15 per person per hour. Taiter’s Kayak Solutions staff will provide participants with brief instructions prior to entering the water – including a safety tutorial – and will help participants get into their vessels. All participants will be required to wear a properly fitted life jacket. Swimming is prohibited in the Great Miami River, but participants should come prepared to get wet. Participants will also not be permitted to go through the RiverScape River Run whitewater feature. No lifeguards are on duty, and paddling is at all participants’ own risk. All participants will be required to sign a waiver before entering their vessel, and all minors must have a parent/guardian present. Regular walk-up rental hours take place Tuesdays from 2-6PM and Thursdays from 4-8PM, June-October. Visit Facebook.com/TaitersKayak or TaitersKayak.com for more information. Weather Dependent.
Paddle under the Fountain of Lights with Taiterâ’s Kayak Solutions all Summer Long at RiverScape MetroPark.

Community Fitness – Tai Chi & Qigong at the River
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Offered by Immortal Tree Qigong. Each hour-long Tai Chi & Qigong session will start with breathing exercises, warm up, and gentle stretching. You will then be guided through flowing movements mixed with short standing meditations. We will end with a slightly longer guided standing (or sitting) meditation. This should leave a few minutes to answer questions or discuss any insights. Qigong doesn’t require any special skills (other than breathing) or equipment (other than your body).

Trivia Tuesday
2025-06-03 19:00 (America/Detroit)
Trivia Tuesdays are fun for everyone at The Dayton Beer Company! Get $3.50 DBC Pints every Tuesday with trivia starting at 7:00 p.m. Cheers!
